Nepal trek

18-Day Upper Mustang Trek

Itinerary

Day 1 : Arrive in Kathmandu

Arrive Kathmandu, where you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel in Kathmandu, the Hotel Tibet.

Standard Lodging: Hotel Tibet

Day 2 : Sightseeing in Kathmandu

Visiting: Kathmandu

Visit Kathmandu City, Swayambhunath, and Pashupatinath on a private tour with an English-speaking guide.

Kathmandu City: Known as Kantipur, the capital of the Kingdom of Nepal. Here you will visit the temple of the Living Goddess, who acknowledges the greetings of the devotees from the balcony of her temple residence. Kasthamandap, the source of the name Kathmandu and supposed to be made from the timber of a single tree and Durbar Square are with its array of temples overlooked by the Hanuman Dhoka Palace, the ancient place of the Nepalese Royalty.

Swayambhunath: Located approximately 4 km/2.5 miles, Buddhist stupa this is said to be 2000 years old, The stupa which forms the main structure is composed of a solid hemisphere of brick and earth supporting a lofty conical spire capped by a pinnacle of copper gilt. Painted on the four sided base of the spire are the all seeing eyes of Lord Buddha. This hill is a mosaic of small Chaityas and Pagodas temples.

Pashupatinath: Situated 5 Kilometers east of Kathmandu city, Pashupatinath temple is one of the holiest Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Situated amidst a lush green natural setting on the bank of the sacred Bagmati River, the temple built in pagoda style has gilded roof and richly carved silver doors. Visitors will be permitted to view the temple from the east bank of Rivers Bagmati, entrance in the temple being strictly forbidden to all non Hindus. Pashupatinath is the center of annual pilgrimage on the day of Shivaratri which falls in the month of February / March. Behind the temples are the cremation grounds.

Meals: B

Standard Lodging: Hotel Tibet

Day 3 : Fly from Kathmandu to Pokhara. Half day sightseeing in Pokhara

Visiting: Pokhara

Early morning transfer to airport and fly to Pokhara where you are met & you will enjoy a half day sightseeing tour in lovely Pokhara.

Pokhara Valley: The rare combination of snow clad peaks and snow fed lakes and rivers has helped to make the valley of Pokhara one of the most picturesque natural attractions in the Kingdom. Pokhara is the most popular destination in Nepal after Kathmandu. A must for all visitors to Pokhara valley is the Phewa Lake. The distance from Kathmandu to Pokhara is 210 km and takes about 5/6 hrs drive. Pokhara is the gateway to some of the most famous long-distance treks in Nepal; however there are plenty of rewarding short walks and day trips suitable for children or weary trekkers, which can be made around the valley.

The Fewa (or Phewa) Lake 1.5 kilometer long, second largest lake in Nepal, offers an excellent view of the mountains and their reflections on the lake. Many tours and trekking operators and hotels are located on the lakeside. One can easily find a place to sit back, relax and enjoy great meal while enjoying scenery here. You will also enjoy boating on the lake. Most hotels and guest houses have traditional designs and layouts which match with the surrounding views.

Davis fall's: Witness a unique waterfall that lies 2 Km from central Pokhara City. The water fall directly goes into a deep and narrow canal with no ends. It is believed that this deadly waterfall took the life of a tourist named David, who fell down into the cannel and was never found, and hence the name David waterfall, named in his memory by the people of Pokhara. This place has many nick names like Davy's Fall, David's Fall or Davis's Fall, all mean the same thing `The Davis Water Fall'

Mahendra Cave (Gufa or Gupha in Nepali): The most demanding tourist attraction in centers of Pokhara, Mahendra cave is one of them. It is located about 10km north from central Pokhara. Residing in Batulechaur village across the Seti river pass, Mahendra Cave is a house of Bats and provides splendid adventurous time for the tourists. This Limestone cave is provided with artificial lighting systems. But if you want to make your Cave walk more adventurous, then you must take a torch light and go searching the alternative ways inside the cave.

Meals: B

Standard Lodging: Mt. Kailash Resort or similar

Day 4 : Fly from Pokhara to Jomsom (2700 m) and trek from Jomsom to Kagbeni (2810 m) 4 hrs

Visiting: Mustang

You take the early morning flight which again will give close-up views of the Annapurna range, Dhaulagiri and nearby satellites, a 20 minute flight. Directly north of Jomsom is the pretty village of Kagbeni. Most of the locals are traders who are the link in the chain between modern Nepal and the Tibetan-type people of Mustang. Just out of Jomsom, you cross a small hanging bridge and then walk along the banks of the Kali Gandaki. The trail is quite barren with craggy rocks and sand and is mostly flat, which makes it very easy going. This very easy, enjoyable start is at the same time picturesque, with views of big peaks all around such as Dhaulagiri (26,794ft), Tukuche (22,703ft) and in the west the awesome mountain above Kagbeni, Nilgiri (22,769ft). Over to the south and south-west can be seen the entire Annapurna Massif. You are more than likely to meet Indian pilgrims on their way to and from Muktinath on this stretch, and other Europeans for an hour or two who will be on the world-famous Annapurna Circuit. Upon reaching Kagbeni there is a taste of scenes to come in Upper Mustang, what with its narrow alleyways and tunnels, irrigation canals, green fields of wheat and barley and a large red Gompa. At the police check-post at the north end of the village there is a sign saying "Restricted area, tourists please do not go beyond this point". Here you will complete your paperwork formalities for you to enter this long-forbidden region of Nepal.

Meals: BLD

Budget Lodging: Simple Lodge

Day 5 : Trek from Kagbeni to Chuksang (2900 m) 5 hrs

Visiting: Mustang

You trek right up the river valley, but you use a combination of the high trail and the riverbank pathways. The trail then widens significantly revealing an endless stretch of sand but the path is kept interesting by the passing of mule trains bearing goods from Mustang and Tibet. On the west bank of the river are some caves and Gompa Kang. Unlike most monasteries in Upper Mustang which are of the Sakyapa sect, Gompa Kang is of the Nyingmapa sect. After that we reach at the village of Tangbe, where you come across the first black, white and red chortens that typify Upper Mustang. The little town is a labyrinth of narrow alleys among white washed houses, fields of buck wheat and barley and apple orchards. Nilgiri Peak continues to dominate the southern skyline. Chuksang village is only about 2hrs walk beyond Tangbe at the confluence of the Narshing Khola and the Kali Gandaki. There are three separate parts to this village and some ruined castle walls on the surrounding cliffs. Across the river from Chuksang are some spectacular red orange pipe eroded cliffs above the mouths of some inaccessible caves.

Meals: BLD

Budget Lodging: Simple Lodge

Day 6 : Trek from Chuksang to Samar (3150 m) 4 hrs

Visiting: Mustang

There is a distinct change here, in the culture, lifestyle and people, and the settlements become more scattered, smaller and more basic. The people of Lo or Mustang do practice agriculture, but because of the lack of rain and fertile soil, cultivation is in sheltered plots of land, scattering the brown landscape with patches of green. Continuing north, you reach a huge red chunk of conglomerate that has fallen from the cliffs above, forming a tunnel through which the river flows. A steel bridge spans the river just in front of the tunnel and north of here the Kali Gandaki becomes impassable on foot. The trek now leaves the valley and climbs steeply up a rocky alley to the village of Chele. Watch out here for the ferocious Tibetan mastiffs which are chained to many of the houses. From Chele you climb a steep spur and then continue ascending along the side of a spectacular steep canyon to a pass. Beyond the pass you descend on a pleasant trail to Samar, situated in a grove of poplar trees.

Meals: BLD

Budget Lodging: Simple Lodge

Day 7 : Trek from Samar to Geling (3510 m) 5 hrs

Visiting: Mustang

You climb above Samar to a ridge and then descend into a large gorge past a chorten before entering another valley filled with juniper trees. You then cross a stream and after climbing to a pass, you descend along a ridge to Shyangbochen a tiny settlement with a few tea shops. Nearby is Rangbyung, a cave containing stalagmites which have formed in the shape of chortens and one of the holiest places in Mustang. The trail climbs gently from Shyangbochen and you enter another huge valley before descending to Geling with its extensive fields of barley. As in all the settlements of Mustang, the white and ochre-painted houses are constructed using mud and stones, with roofs made of twigs, straw and a mixture of mud and pebbles.

From Geling the trail climbs gently through fields, up the center of the valley, passing above the settlement of Tama Gun and an imposing chorten. You then begin a taxing climb across the head of the valley to the Nyi La [3840m]. The descent from the pass is quite gentle and about half an hour further on we come to a trail junction; the right trail is the direct route to Charang, the left trail leads to Ghami. Ghami is a large white-washed village sheltered by overhanging cliffs.

Meals: BLD

Budget Lodging: Simple Lodge

Day 9 : Trek from Ghami to Charang (3620 m) 5 hrs

Visiting: Mustang

Today's walk is through perhaps the driest part of Mustang, and much of your energy will be spent negotiating loose, dry soil. However, the magnificent views of the countryside, from the gentle contours of the north to the rugged mountains in the east and west, are a source of inspiration. Finally, you come to Charang, a large spread-out village at the top of the Charang Chu canyon. At the eastern end of the village are a huge dzong [fortress] and a red Gompa which houses an excellent collection of statues and thangkas.

Meals: BLD

Budget Lodging: Simple Lodge

Day 10 : Trek from Charang to Lo-Manthang (Mustang) (3730 m) 3 hrs

Visiting: Mustang

You will spend part of the morning exploring the interesting village of Charang and its large monastery, before setting out for Lo Manthang. You climb gently above the valley to a large isolated chorten that marks the boundary between Charang and Lo. The trail then broadens and eventually you get our first view of the walled city of Lo Manthang. The city has only one entrance so you circumambulate the wall to the gate on the north east corner.

Meals: BLD

Budget Lodging: Simple Lodge

Day 11 : Rest day at Mustang

Visiting: Mustang

Today is free to explore the fascinating city of Lo Manthang, untouched since the 14th century. The city contains about 150 houses, as well as residences for its many lamas. There are four major temples within the city and one of these, Champak Leaking, contains a huge clay statue of Buddha as well as elaborates mandala painted on the walls. The king's palace is an imposing building in the center of the city and is occupied by the current King and Queen. Although his duties are largely ceremonial, the King is respected by the people and consulted about many issues by villagers throughout the kingdom.

Meals: BLD

Budget Lodging: Simple Lodge

Day 12 : Trek from Lo-Manthang to Ghami (3490 m) 6 hrs

Visiting: Mustang

You continue your journey on the highland route, crossing alpine meadows before dropping down a steep eroded alley to Dhaka. You walk through the pretty valley, climb to a ridge and descend from there back to Ghami.

Meals: BLD

Budget Lodging: Simple Lodge

Day 13 : Trek from Ghami to Chuksang (2900 m) 6 hrs

Visiting: Mustang

You trek through wide and gentle path with some ascends and descends. The trail passes through desert like places though you can see some small thorny bushes. On the way, your trail goes along the river. You come across with some small streams. To reach from Ghami to Chuksang, you cross Kali Gandaki River.

Meals: BLD

Budget Lodging: Simple Lodge

Day 14 : Trek from Chuksang to Muktinath (3795m) 7 hrs

Visiting: Mustang

The trail follows gently ascend and winding path passing through almost desert like places. On the way, you see at a distance some agricultural fields, apple orchard and some human settlements. You can enjoy beautiful deserted landscape, Caves, old Tibetan Style Villages, apple garden, Yaks Herds, Sheep Herds, straight up to the Muktinath visit Monastery believed to be built in 15th century, walk about twenty minute to Muktinath Temple, where you can enjoy a holy bath of 108Taps, Visit Monastery, Natural flaming and Hindus Temple. The people of Muktinath are close to the life style, culture, religion and idea of Tibetan people.

Meals: BLD

Budget Lodging: Simple Lodge

Day 15 : Trek from Muktinath to Jomsom (2713 m) 5 hrs

Visiting: Mustang - Jomsom

Easy day, trail gradually ascends to clair batty at Kali Gandaki River valley, walk another two hours along the wide sandy and windy valley. The way moves between two hills. From there you would reach to Jomsom.

Meals: BLD

Budget Lodging: Simple Lodge

Day 16 : Fly to Pokhara

Visiting: Pokhara

Today we will fly back to Pokhara. Upon reaching the hotel you will have a leisure day to relax.

Meals: B

Budget Lodging: Mt. Kailash Resort or similar

Day 17 : Fly from Pokhara and to Kathmandu

Visiting: Jomsom - Kathmandu

Today you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back to Kathmandu.

Meals: B

Standard Lodging: Hotel Tibet

Day 18 : Departure

Visiting: Kathmandu

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight home.